Rusty Murray suffers shock defeat in Dubai

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ANDY MURRAY crashed out of the Dubai Championship last night after suffering a shock second round defeat to Janko Tipsarevic.

The world No4, playing in his first tournament since losing the Australian Open final to Roger Federer last month, fought his way back from a set down to force a decider, only for the Serb to break his serve twice to claim a 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-3 victory.

“It is always disappointing to lose, but I did not have much expectation from the tournament,” Murray admitted afterwards.

“I am coming from a big break after the Australian Open and was not as prepared as I should have been for the tournament. I was still trying out things on the court, rather than playing my normal game.”

With Murray out and Federer withdrawing with a throat infection, second seed Novak Djokovic is now the overwhelming favourite, but the Serb was made to work for his place in the third round yesterday.

Djokovic lost the first set to fellow countryman Victor Troicki before coming back to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 and set up a clash with either Marcos Baghdatis or Indian qualifier Somdev Devvarman.

Fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko became the latest player to pull out, however, retiring after the first set of his match with Germany’s Michael Berrer with a wrist injury. Marin Cilic and Mikhail Youzhny, seeded six and seven, are both safely through.